Cooling system



Sept. 3, 1940. w. c. O'LEARY 3 3 coomm SYSTEM Original Filed July 3, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l E IN VEN TOR.

BY Y W ATTORNEY? p 1940. w. c. o'LEARY 2,213,254

- COOLING SYSTEM Original Filed July 5, 1929 v 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

E591- app-e Patented Sept. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application July 3, 1929, Serial No. 375,725 Renewed March 12, 1934 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a cooling system, was originally disclosed in my application Serial No. 734,705 filed August 28, 1924 upon which Letters Patent 1,636,322 was granted me July 19,

1927 and has for its object to provide a system of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, for producing and maintaining low temperature in a storage room, living rooms, food or other containers and for any other purposes for which the system is applicable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system'of the class referred to, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, whereby the temperature in a storage room, living room or containers can be conveniently raised when occasion requires.

A further object of the,invention is to provide a. system of such class, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, having means to provide for the maintaining of low temperaturein an inclosed space, as well as synchronously employing the system for refrigerating purposes for preserving articles of food.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cooling system, in a manner as hereinafter set ingftermore specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modiflcations can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference charseveral views:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a cooling system in accordance with this invention, showing the arrangement thereof for refrigerating purposes, as well as for maintaining a room or inclosed space at low temperature.

Figure 2 is front elevation of a housing or reeeptacle forming an element of the system.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the hous- 55 ing or receptacle.

forth, including a refrigerating element for pre-' in a manner as hereinafterset forth, a cooling acters denote corresponding parts throughout the Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4, Figure 3. Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of a grating arranged within the housing or receptacle.

Figure 6 is a section, on line 6-6, Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view, illustrating a modified form of edge insulation for the contacting end of a vacuum chamber.

Figures 8 and 9, are fragmentary views in perspective respectively, of the preferred and modified forms of edge insulation or sealing members. 10

Referring to the drawings in detail, I denotes a base, upon which is supported a housing, referred to generally by the reference character 2 andin which are arranged two sets of air cooling coilsand refrigerating agents employed for cooling the air as it travels through each set of coils.

The housing comprises side walls 3, 4,-a front wall 5, a rear wall 6, and a bottom I. The walls 3 to 6 and bottom I are formed of sheet metal of substantial height and suitably connected to- .gether. The side walls 3, 4, are of less width than the length of the walls, 5, 6. When the walls 3 to 6 and bottom I are secured together, they provide a housing or receptacle of rectangular contour.

Arranged within the housing 2 is a pair of spaced metallic tanks, 8, 9, and said'tanks are not only spaced from each other a. substantial distance, but also a substantial distance from the bottom and walls of the housing 2. The tank 8 is rectangular in contour and extends lengthwise with respect to the width of the housing 2. The tank 9 is squarein contour and of greater size than the tank 8. The tanks 8 and 9 are of the same height, oppose each other, and arranged between the opposed walls of the tanks is a spacing element In, in the. form of a grating. Interposed between the bottoms of the tanks, 8, 9 and the bottom I is a combined supporting and spacing element II, in the form of a grating, for the tanks. Interposed between the tank 8 and the side wall 4 is a spacing element I2, in the form of a grating; Interposed between the tank 9 and the side wall 3 of the housing is a spacing element 13, in the form of a grating. Interposed between the tanks 8, 9 and the front wall 5 of the housing 2, is a spacing element It, in the form of a grating, and interposed between the rear wall 6 of the housing 2 and the tanks 8, 9, is a spacing element IS, in the form of a grating.

Theelements ll, l2, 13,14 and I5 are'constructed in the same manner, and as shown in Figure 5, "and consist of intersecting oppo itely extending flat bars I, I7, of substantialwidth and thickness, and each of'said bars is provided 56 with a series of equally spaced slots [8, with the slots in the bars l6 oppositely disposed with respect to the slots in the bars H. .The slots I8 are of a length equal to half the width of the openings IS, in the grating, are of equal size.'

The bars l6, as well as the bars l1, are provided with a series of substantially spaced openings 20 to set up a means for establishing communication between the openings l9 when the elements H to I5 are mounted in position between the tanks and the housing, and when the element In is mounted in position between the tanks 8, 9. Preferably the edges of the bars l6 and I1 are feathered as at l1, see Figure 5.

The inner side walls of the tanks 8, 9, in connection with the bars I 6, H, of the element Ill, close the openings 19, whereby the said openings are then formed into closed polygonal-shaped spaces. The tanks 8, 9, in connection with the housing 2, as well as the bars l6 and I1 of the elements II to 15, form the walls of the openings [9 provided by the elements I I to l5, whereby said openings I 9 are formed into closed polygonalshaped spaces. The openings 20 in the bars l6, l1, as before stated, are employed to establish communication between the closed spaces.

A normally closed valvular element 2| is connected to the wall 3 and to said element 2 I can be attached a pump, as indicated at 22 for creating a vacuum in the closed spaces formed by the housing, tanks and gratings. I

, Secured within the tank 8, a substantial distance above the bottom thereof, is a support 23, upon which is mounted a foraminous partition 24, and said support 23 and partition 24 provide the tank with an upper refrigerant chamber 25 The refrigerant arranged within the chamber 26 is in the form of shaved ice and salt and which is indicated at 28.

The sets of cooling 60115, which are arranged in the chamber 26, are indicated at 29, 36, and

are completely enveloped by the refrigerant 28.

Secured to the bottom of the tank 8 is a pair of coil suspension devices, indicated at 3|, 32, the former suspends the set of coils 29 and the latter suspends the set of coils 30 within the chamber 26.

Arranged within the chamber 26, at a point in proximity to the support 23, is an air conducting pipe 33, which has one end communicating with the upper coil of the set of coils 29, as at 34, and its other end connected to the upper coil of the set of coils 30, as at 35. Extending through the rear wall 6 and opening into a T-coupling 36 attached to the pipe 33, is an air supply pipe 31, having its outer end provided with an air filter 38. The air to be cooled is first passed through the filter 38 and then supplied to the sets of coils through the through the spacing element l1 and through an end wall of the tank 8 and into the chamber 26. Suitable means is provided to set up an air tight acters 63, 64.

joint for the pipe 31 between the housing 2 and tank 8.

Arranged within the tank 9, a substantial distance above the bottom thereof, is a support 39 carrying a foraminous partition 40, which divides the tank 9 into an upper storage chamber 4| and a lower cold air receiving chamber 42. The chamber 4| is adapted to receive articles of food, and the cold air supplied to the chamber 42 acts as a preservative or a refrigerant for the articles contained in the chamber 4i. The cold air is supplied to the chamber 42 through the medium of a valved supply pipe 43, which extends from the chamber 26, through the spacing element Ill and into the chamber 42, at the bottom thereof. The pipe 43 is connected, as at 44, to the lower coil of the set of coils 30, and has an air tight connection, as at 45, 46, with the tanks 8 and 9 respectively. The pipe 43 projects a substantial distance within the chamber 42 and carries a cut-off valve 41, having a stem 48 projecting through a bearing element 49, and further projecting exteriorly of the wall 5 of the housing 2, as at 50, to enable the manual operation of the valve 41 when occasion requires. The outer end of the element 49, which is arranged exteriorly of the wall 5 of the housing 2, is provided with a stop 5| for limiting the movement of the stem 48.

Connected to the lower coil of the set of coils 29 and projecting outwardly from the wall 4 of the housing 2, is a cold air supply pipe 52 having its outer end provided with a cut-off valve 53, and to the latter is secured a cold air conducting pipe 54.

The top of the space formed between the tanks reference to Figure 8 the sealing strip is indicated at 55 and the flanges thereof at 56. With reference to Figure 9 the sealing strip is indicated at 55 formed with lateral enlargements 55" terminating in flanges 55". When the form shown in Figure 8 is used, it is mounted in overlapping position, see Figure 3, and when the form. shown in Figure 9 is employed it is mounted in the top of the space, see Figure '7.

Secured to the walls 3 to 6 of the housing 2, at the top thereof, is a frame 51 constructed preferably of wood, and with each of the frame members thereof angle-shaped in the cross section to provide a vertical leg 58 and a horizontally disposed leg 59, which extends inwardly at right angles with respect to the lower end of the leg 58 thereby providing a pocket 58' for an outer flange 56 of a sealing member. The leg 58 snugly abuts against the outer face of the housing 2.

The housing 2 is provided with a pair of hinged covers referred to generally by the reference char- The cover 63 is emplyoed for closing the tank 8, and the cover 64 for the tank 9. The cover 63 is hinged to the frame 51, as at 65,

. and the cover 64 is hinged to the frame 51, as at 66. The cover 63 is of less size than the cover 64, see Figure 3, but as the construction of each of the covers is the same, but one will be described as the description of one will apply to the other. Each of the covers consists of an upper section 61 and a lower section68. The section 61 is larger 2,218,254 The section 61 is constructed preferably of wood,

and the section 68 of metallicmaterial. The section 68 is formed from two flanged spaced plates to provide a shallow casing 18, having arranged therein a grating H constructed in the same manher as shown in Figure 5. The casing 18 has its upper face formed with ribs 12, which seat in pockets 13, and engaging with the ribs 12 are holdfast devices 14 which extend through the section 61 and engage'in the ribs 12, and by this arrangement the two sections of the cover are secured together.

The spaces formed between the flanges of the plates which provide the shallow casings 18 have their own ends closed by sealing members or strips 55. See Figure 3.

The vacuum chambers formed between the housing and tanks, and between the tanks, as well as-those formed by the casings "are closed by the thin sealing strips of low conductivity, which are seated on the frame 51 and the flanges of the inner strip carried thereby, and thesections .68 of the covers, when these latter are in closure position, seat on the sealing members 55 of the housing 62. Each of the covers is provided with a normally closed valvular element 15, to which can be attached suitable means, such as a pump to form a vacuum in the casing 18.

The wall 3, as well as the wall 16 of the tank 9 which opposes the wall 3 of the housing 2, is provided with an opening, and the said openings oppose' each other and are indicated at 88. Mounted in the openings 88 is a flanged casing 8|, open at its rear and having its front wall, as indicated at 82, provided with an outlet 83, normally vided with an opening, and the said openings align and are indicated at 81. Closing the openings 81 is a sight glass 88, which is arranged forwardly with respect to a thermometer 89, positioned within the chamber 4|. By this arrangement one can readily ascertain the temperature within the chamber 4|.

Secured to the wall 16 of the tank 9, as well as the wall 3 of the housing 2, is a short pipe 98, which has its inner end communicating with the chamber 42 and its outer end provided with a cutofi 9|. The pipe 98, when the cut-off is open, is employed for supplying air at atm'ospheric temperature or hot air into the chamber 42 for increasing the temperature therein, as well as the temperature in the chamber 4| and when this step is had, the slide 84 is shifted to open the outlet 83 and the suction device then operated whereby air at atmospheric pressure or warm air will be drawn through the chambers 42 for the purpose of increasing the tem-- perature therein and after the temperature in the chamber 4| has been increased to the de-.

sired degree, which'can be ascertained from the thermometer 89, the cut-off 9| is closed, outlet 83 closed and the operation of the suction device 85 discontinued.

The reference character 92 indicates allving or other room, and into which is arranged the air conducting pipe 54 which opens into an electrically operated suction device 93, controlled by a switch 94. Leading from the suction device 93 to a cold air discharge hose 94' provided with a flaring outlet 95.' One of the walls of the room 92, as indicated at 96, is provided with an outlet 91-, in which is arranged an electrically operated suction device 98. The outlet 91 is normally closed by slide 99 operating in a guide I88 and connected to an elevating member |8|. The suction device 98. is controlled by a switch I82. If

. the temperature of the room 92 becomestoo cold, the operation of the suction device 93 is discontinued. The slide 99 is raised to open the outlet 91, and the suction device 98 operated whereby the cold air is rapidly withdrawn from the room 92, and this operation is continued until the temperature of the room 92 is as desired. The suction device 93 draws the cold air from the set of coils 29 and provides for the discharge of said cold-air into the room 92 through the hose 94'.

The chamber 26 is provided with a drain I83;

The drippings from the block of the ice 21, falling onto the refrigerant 28 also assist in the coola ing of the air, as it passes through the coils. The drainage of the chamber 26 is had through the medium of the drain 23. After the refrigerant I has been arranged in position, it is only necessary to set the suction devices and 93 in motion, after the valves 41 and 53 have been opened, and onthe operation of said suction devices, chilled and filtered air will be supplied to the chamber 4|, chamber 42 and room 92. If the temperature becomes too low in the chambers 4|, 42 and room 92, the outlet 83 is opened, as well as the cut-off in 9|, and by this arrangement the temperature in said-chambers can be increased.

The walls of the housing, as well as the walls of the tanks,whenthe vacuum isformed in such walls, are prevented from collapsing in view of the ele-. ments |8 to l5 interposed between the tanks and the tanks and the housing, and this state- -ment also applies to the covers.

It is thought that the many advantages of a cooling system in accordance with this invention, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet changes in the details of construction can be had which 'will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. In a cooling system, a heat insulated structure including a heat insulated partitioning means to provide a pair of closed compartments sealed from each other, a refrigerated cold air conducting device arranged in one of said compartments, a cold air feed pipe extending from said device, through and sealed to said partitioning means and opening into said other compartment, the latter providing a storage com- .partment, a normally closed controlling valve for said pipe, adjusting means for the valve extended from and operated from without said structure, a suction means arranged in a wall of the storage compartment for exhausting air from the latter when said valve is open, and a temperature recording means arranged in a wall of the storage compartment and visible from .W thout the latter.

2. -In a cooling system, a heat insulated-structure including a heat insulated partitioning means'toprovide a pair of closed compartments sealed from each other, a. refrigerated cold air conducting device arranged in one of said comp'artrhents, a cold air feed pipe extending from said device, through and sealed to said partitioning means and opening into said other compartment, the latter providing a storage compartment, a normally closed controlling valve for said pipe, adjusting means for the valve extended from and operated from without said structure, a suction means arranged in a wall of the storage compartment for exhausting air from the latter when said valve is open, a temperature recording means arranged in a wall of the storage compartment and visible from without the latter, an an air filtering means connected to said device.

3. In a cooling system, a heat insulated structure including a heat insulated partitioning means to provide a pair of closed compartments sealed from each other, a refrigerated air container arranged in one of said compartments for supplying cold air to the other of said compartments, the other of said compartments providing a storage compartment, controllable means in said partitioning means for regulating the supply of cold air to said storage compartment from said container, means extending from without and into said structure and operated from without the latter for adjusting said controllable means, a suction means arranged in a wall of the storage compartment for exhausting air from the latter when the controllable means is positioned to provide for cold air entering the storage compartment, and a temperature recording means arranged in a wall of the storage compartment and visible from without the latter.

4. In a cooling system, a structure providing an'enclosed space and having means for forming vacuum wall heat insulation throughout the top, sides and bottom of partitioning means within said structure for dividing said space into two chambers, said partitioning means forming in connection with the said other means vacuum wall heat insulation substantially surrounding each of said chambers, the said partitioning means iorming a continuation of the said other means and providing a vacuum space heat insulation around each of said chambers, means for producing cold air in one of said chambers; means for passing the cold air Irom one of said chambers through said partitioning means and into the other of said chambers, and a suction device mounted in one of the walls of said cold air receiving chamber for exhausting air from the latter.

5. In a cooling system, means for providing vacuum wall heat insulation substantially surrounding an enclosed space, top, bottom and sides, a vacuum wall partitioning means for dividing said space into two chambers, the vacuum space in said partitioning means communicating withsthe surrounding vacuum space providing vacuum wall heat insulation substantially surrounding each of said chambers, means for prosaid space, a vacuum wall ducing cold air in one of said chambers, and means for passing the cold air through said vacuum wall partitioning means into the other of said chambers.

6. In a cooling system, an open top chamber surrounded by a vacuum space having opposed walls, said space sealed at its edge to provide a vacuum wall, a similar vacuum wall partitioning means dividing said chamber into compartments, the vacuum space in said partitioning means communicating with the surrounding vacuum space and forming a continuation of the latter whereby each of said compartments is completely surrounded by vacuum space heat insulation below the sealed edge of said vacuum space, and closing means for each of said compartments.

7. In a cooling system, a structure including a refrigerating chamber for receiving cold air, said chamber being surrounded, to a degree substantially complete, by a vacuum space having 20 opposed walls, said opposed walls forming a vacuum wall around said chamber at its top, sides and bottom, means within saidstructure for producing cold air, conducting means forming an vacuum wall into said refrigerating chamber, controlling means for opening and closing said air passage, and a rod extending through said vacuum wall from the outside of the latter, said rod being connected externally with a means for moving it and connected within said chamber with said controlling means for opening and closing the air passage.

8. In a cooling system, a structure including a chamber substantially surrounded by a vacuum space having opposed walls, said Walls forming a vacuum wall around said chamber, cold producing means in said chamber, air conducting means extending from without said chamber through said vacuum wall into said chamber, a pipe extending from within said chamber and through said wall to the outside of said wall, a valve controlling the flow of air in said pipe, an air conducting means connected with said ,pipe, said air conducting means providing an air passageway for the flow of air from said chamber to a point for discharge of said air, and a suction device in said air passageway for propelling the air to said point of discharge.

9. In a cooling system, a structure including air passage for passing the cold air through said 25 a chamber substantially surrounded by vacuum wall forming means, cold producing means in said chamber, an air filter located outside said chamber, air conducting means extending from said filter through the vacuum wall of said chamber into said chamber, a pipe extending from within said chamber and through said vacuum wall to the outside of said wall, a valve controlling the fiow of air in said pipe, an air conducting means connected with said pipe, said air conducting means providing an air passageway for the flow of air from said chamber to a point for discharge of said air, and a blower fan in said air passageway for propelling the air to said point'of discharge.

WILLIAM C. O'LEARY. 

